by Ryan Scott
Chapter 6
Ella had been walking on the deserted road to Jenner-by-the- Sea when she stopped to put Little Rico down. While she rested, she scan the bridge below, guessing it was about a half mile away., Further downstream, she observed the small village by the river, noticing a few shanties clinging to the hillside, a church and a school house with a bell tower. An old resort with faded red and yellow umbrellas fluttering on the veranda and a few rowboats bobbing in the river caught her attention. After she watched an orange truck squeaked to a stop by a metal building, she located her mother’s cottage. "Look, Little Rico. See that house way over there? That's where Grandma lives."
"Grandma lives," he repeated, staring at the river.
She took his hand. "Oh, silly, you're looking the wrong way. Come on; we still have to cross the Russian River down there."
Sweating heavily, she arrived at her mother’s home carrying Little Rico and her pillowcase which she quickly put down. Holding her breath, she knocked on the door, thinking, Please let her be here.
When she heard her mother’s heavy footsteps, she sighed, Thank God she’s here.
Francis opened the door and chuckled when she saw her visitors. . "Why, Ella, what are you doing here? Come in. You look plumb worn out. Here, let me take that big boy."
"Thank you Mama. I've just left Rico, and I'm never going back!"
"Oh, Honey, come in! I’ll fix you some lunch, and then you can tell me all about it."
After Francis put on a pot of coffee, made tuna fish sandwiches and poured a glass of milk for Little Rico, she asked, "Well, Honey, can you tell me what happened?"
"Oh, Mama, I've made such a mess of my life. Rico’s been cheating and acting terrible, but I'll tell you more later. Little pictures have big ears. The main thing is we have no place to stay. Can we stay here?"
Her mother shook her head slowly, saying, “Honey, you're welcome to stay, but I just received a notice I have to leave. One of the old fellows I work for is in the hospital with cancer, and his brother went to a nursing home. They’ve sold this house, and I have to be out in seven days."
Ella stared at the river for several moments before she asked, “Mama, what about that little house Papa left you?"
Her mother looked away, admitting, “Your brother sold it and used the money to buy a yellow roadster. I think it was a Buick. I haven’t seen him since the funeral."
Ella blinked in disbelief, shouting, "How dare that bastard! What are we going to do now?"
Francis patted her hand. “Honey, being angry won’t help, but we can look for a home together."
"Mama, I'm sorry Kyle treated you so badly. My problems can be discussed later, but for now, let's concentrate on survival. Are there any jobs around here?"
"I doubt it. People have moved away because of the lack of work."
Ella took a sip of coffee and suggested, “Maybe James could help us out. He’s been working for years. I bet he could lend us some money. Also, that rat Kyle might help us. He owes you so much!"
Her mother looked sad. “I have no idea where James is. He could be on the other side of the world. As for Kyle, it wouldn’t do any good to ask. You know how he is."
“Mama, on my way here, I saw a couple of abandoned houses,” Ella said, suddenly animated. “Maybe we could move into one of those places and make it livable."
Her mother tapped her cup, replying, "Maybe that's not such a bad idea. It's certainly better than living in the open. I'll ask around and see if I can find out about other places."
During the next five days, they went to several deserted houses. At the last house they inspected, Ella kicked a rotten board loose from the porch, shouting, "Just look at this goddamn place! The floors are rotten, and the well is dry, just like all those other dumps we’ve seen! Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
"Don't give up hope, Dear. Just this morning, Mr. Mueller, he's the one who owns the resort, told me about the old Rule Ranch. Its five miles north of Jenner. Let's go there tomorrow and have a look."
Early the next morning they began their journey to the old Rule Ranch. As they walked along the coastal highway carved from cliffs above the surf, fog drifted in from the ocean while the wind whistled through the bent Cypress trees. Little Rico rode piggyback on his mother’s back, keeping warm. While Ella stopped to wait for her mother to catch up, she watched angry waves relentlessly pounding the barrier rocks, thinking, I feel like those rocks.
When Francis caught up, they continued to climb the grade until they reached the summit. Francis gasped, "Lordy, I'm winded!"
"Mama, are you all right?"
"Yes, of course! I’m all right; just a little pooped."
“Ok, but let’s just rest for a while. By the way, how will we know when we arrive at the Old Rule Ranch?"
Frances looked down the highway, saying, "I think I see it now! According to Mr. Mueller, it’s that old wooden cattle crossing that looks like an arch going over the road.”
Ella shaded her eyes and peered ahead. "I believe you’re right, and it’s not too far.”
Soon they arrived at the old wooden arch where they turned off the highway and continued on a rutted dirt road. When a covey of quail suddenly scurried across their path, Little Rico tried to catch one, but it quickly disappeared into a stand of wild dill.
Francis smacked her lips, saying, “Roast quail are mighty tasty."
"Yes, if you can catch them," Ella replied, amused with Little Rico’s perplexed expression.
AS They walk through a grove of Eucalyptus trees, heavy mist filtered through the foliage and dripped down on their heads. "Mama, I cold," Little Rico complained.
She pulled him closer to her side. “I know, Honey. So am I. Just pull your cap over your ears."
When they finally entered a clearing, Ella pointed to a small cottage with paint peeling and windows broken, saying, “I think that’s the place.”
Francis shook her head. “That place doesn’t look too promising, and just look at that old barn. It’s leaning sideways."
“Well, we’re here so we might as well have a look,” Ella replied and went to try her weight on the porch. After she tested the boards, she said, “Mama, this porch is solid. Now let's see what the rest of this place looks like."
She broke a spider web across the door and yelled, “Hello is anyone here?"
The only response was the distant roar of the ocean, the wind rustling the trees and tall dead weeds scratching against the few unbroken windows.
Francis stepped forward, pushed the door open and entered a musty-smelling living room. When she spotted a lopsided easy chair, she sat down heavily, but a cloud of dust flew up, making her cough. After she cleared her throat, she said, "Well, this chair is mighty dirty, but it can be cleaned and so can that sofa over there. Now let's see what else is here." They went from room to room, finding mattresses leaning against the walls in the two small bedrooms. When they went into the kitchen, they discovered a wood burning stove and a table with four chairs. "Ella, these are just what we need,” Francis exclaimed. “Now let’s see if this place has an outhouse and a working well."
When they looked outside, Francis found a two-hole privy behind overgrown trees. Ella located a well nearly hidden by weeds. While she plunge the handle up and down, Francis cupped her hands to catch the gushing water. Tentatively, she tasted the cool liquid. "Ella, this water is good! I think we’ve found our home, “she announced.
They returned to the porch and sat on the steps with Little Rico at their feat. Well, this place is not the Taj Mahal, but it has plenty of water and wood for the stove,” Ella noted.
Francis brushed the dust from her dress, replying, "Yes, and we can use all of that furniture. They’re a little musty but they can be aired out. The broken windows can be fixed with cardboard."
She tousled Little Rico’s hair, gave him a red feather and ask, "Little Rico, what do you think of our new home?"
He twirled t
he feather between his thumb and finger, replying indignantly, “I’m not little and it’s not new!”
Ella laughed. "Well then Rico, we just won’t call you little anymore."